I noticed the other day that HD do a whole book on the subject... no idea
if it's good value for money or not.
To the OP: I asked about this a few months back and got some very useful
replies - it might be worth checking via Google's search feature and
finding that thread.
ISTR the basic advice was to put down some form of moisture barrier
on the floor and walls, leave an air gap under the floor, stud +
insulate, and to use something other than drywall for the top layer.
Oh, check local fire codes, too. I know ours has rules about fire escapes
(which can just be an opening window, so long as it's of certain size) if
there's ever going to be anyone sleeping down there.
Also check for things like manufacturer's minimum clearances around the
furnace if that's going to be relevant to you.
cheers
Jules

Van,
If you have local building codes see what they require, even if you're
not going to pull a permit. Some cities have handouts or put them on-
line. My local inspectors have been very helpful on home improvements.
If you live in a cold climate, Google the research done by the
Canadian government. They know how to build in cold places.
dss

Just did my daughters. It's a poured concrete foundation.
I put 2" of Styrofoam SMagainst the concrete and taped the joints with
Tuck Tape.. Then I built a 2X4 wall with the sill sitting on strips of
DriFloor, tapconned to the floor and screwed to the floor joists
overhead.
Stuffed the 2X4 wall with Roxul RockWool batts and covered with 5/8"
paperless drywall (Georgia Pacific DensArmour), mudded and taped the
joints, 2 coats of primer, and 2 coats of eggshell latex. Took a bit
of sanding on the primer to get everything good and smooth, but not
bad.
The floor has a layer of the plastic honeycomb (like DriFloor but
without the aspenite on it) rolled out and covered with 15mm bamboo
engineered flooring.. Warm and quiet.

You're asking for specifics, yet offer as info only "finish basement".
No one can assess your conditions ...
But something of a general nature might be helpful. If you have any
kind of existing or developing moisture problem, you may well be
investing a great deal of time and $ in the creation of a major
headache if you don't address the moisture problem first (and
comprehensively).
Spoken from experience.
Peetie

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